Norris draws opening-day start for Astros

Bud Norris will throw the first pitch for the Astros as an American League team. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)

KISSIMMEE, Fla. — The rebuilding Astros have traded away almost every one of their recognizable players from the last two seasons. So of course, the pitcher involved in more trade rumors than any other Astro since the 2012 campaign ended will take the mound when the club begins its 2013 season and makes its official American League debut.

Righthander Bud Norris was named Wednesday as the Astros’ opening-day starter and will face the Texas Rangers on March 31 at Minute Maid Park. The 7 p.m. Sunday game serves as MLB’s 2013 season opener and will be televised on ESPN.

Norris, 28, ended an up-and-down 2012 campaign acknowledging that at any time he could join a long list of names that included Wandy Rodriguez, Carlos Lee and Brett Myers — players suddenly dealt under general manager Jeff Luhnow’s reign as the Astros, eyeing a return to contention by 2015, traded MLB salaries for minor league prospects.

Now, Norris is the Astros’ highest-paid player ($3 million) and one of their longest-tenured (four seasons). And he edged out righty Lucas Harrell for the honor to hurl the Astros into a new era.

“When I (say) childhood dreams come true, that’s truly what it is,” said Norris, who went 7-13 with a 4.65 ERA in 2012, striking out 165 in 1681⁄3 innings. “I remember listening on the radio to opening day. It’s just a big anticipation thing. To get to know that day is the day I get to go out there and play baseball in the home city of Houston is truly exciting, and I’m honored.”

Norris’ career major league numbers don’t shine (28-37, 4.42 ERA, no complete games). But he was All Star-like at home last season, going 4-1 with a 1.71 ERA in 11 starts, striking out 82 and walking just 17. After being involved in an unending stream of trade speculation during the offseason and then having his name constantly thrown into trade rumors during spring training, Norris has evolved into one of the Astros’ few clubhouse gurus.

“Bud Norris has done everything we’ve asked him to do from the time I’ve taken the job to being that leader that this organization needs,” manager Bo Porter said.

Added Norris: “I understand it a lot more now. I’m a year older. … I’d like to think I’m a year wiser.”

Before making the pros, Norris was long considered a B-level player: a good but not great pitcher, a solid athlete who’d never been a star. Since joining the Astros, he has been overshadowed by veterans such as Roy Oswalt and Rodriguez while being undervalued because of everything from his woeful 2012 road numbers (3-12, 6.94 ERA) to the Astros’ well-documented struggles the last four seasons.

“The naysayers out there and the people of that caliber, they’re entitled to their opinion,” Norris said. “I’ve proven that I can pitch when I’m healthy, and I can do a lot of things right.”

Game recap

The Astros fell 7-5 to the New York Mets on Wednesday night in a Grapefruit League game in Kissimmee, Fla. The Astros led 5-0 after two innings. New York rallied with seven unanswered runs, including four in the seventh inning off Kevin Chapman, who gave up five hits in just two-thirds of an inning.

Big bat: Carlos Pena went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run and three RBIs, raising his spring average to .306.

Starter: Astros righthander Alex White allowed three earned runs and seven hits in 41⁄3 innings. He struck out three and walked only one.